the following year, in the first mixed race elections in south africa's history, nelson mandela was elected president. >> today is a day like no other before us. >> we were the first to interview him on that first morning as president-elect. mandela tempered south africa's joy when he said healing his country would take time. >> it cannot be done overnight. it will take a year, two years, even as much as five years. [ applause [ applause ] >> from enemy of the state to head of state, nelson mandela's walk to freedom became a journey shared by his entire nation. >> i have never been so excited and hopeful in my life in south africa as i am now. >> years later, nelson mandela paid a return visit to his former prison cell, this time accompanied by president bill clinton, who later presented him with the congressional gold medal. mandela stepped down as president in 1999, but he lived long enough to see the united states elect its own first black president. and in 2011 he was paid a visit in south africa by first lady, michelle obama, who brought along first daughters, malia and sasha. >> admir